Author
Topic: Unit GAL of the Line (Read 5270 times)

I am roused to consciousness by my sensors detecting a hyperspace emergence. I calculate that it has been 271.987 years since I reduced myself to standby status after the last signal was received from the colony on the world below. I have no way to determine if the human colony failed, felled by some enemy I am not equipped to combat. The information is not comforting. I am Unit GAL-228 of the Line. I should be able to defend my human charges from any enemy, but I know that humans are comparatively frail. They are subject to disease, attack at the microscopic level. No BOLO can battle such a foe. It is possible that there are survivors on the planet though, any number of reason could have caused them to have lost, or abandoned, technology.

I have insufficient information on the new arrival in this star system. It is possible that this is a scout from another surviving human world, it is also possible that this is a scout from either the old enemy, or a new one.

For now I wait. If they newcomers are friends they will be welcomed, and know that the Dinochrome Brigade still guards this human outpost.

If it is a foe, they will discover that the Dinochrome Brigade GUARDS this planet.

The Basestar had been separated from the fleet. The pursuit of the humans had required several detachments to examine trails that might have meant part of the human refugees had fled their main fleet. This planet had not been the goal, but emerging from FTL drive 300 light years away they had detected the electronic spoor of humanity. The signals were strange, not the usual patterns used by the Colonials. Visual imagery confirmed the signals to be of human origin though, and the Imperious Leaders decree that no human be left alive was paramount. This planet would be investigated, and if humans were found they would be eradicated.

A trio of Raiders launched, tasked with determining if the planets were inhabited, and what defences it held. There were no current emanations in the electromagnetic spectrum from the planet. Several signals were being received, but they all appeared to be from automated systems. None of that mattered, humans may remain on the planet despite the lack of signals, reconnaissance would determine how best to eradicate them.

I detect the launch of a trio of small craft from the new arrival. I briefly consider that this is a strike package, requiring 0.00187 seconds to discount the probability. Human history suggests that any spacefaring race will have undergone an aerial warfare phase and mutual support considerations will have lead to even numbers of tactical craft.

The most likely possibility, 98.328% certainty, is that this is some form of escorted reconnaissance mission. This does not indicate hostility, merely prudence. An unknown system, bearing unknown threats is hardly the place to leave an intelligence asset unprotected.

I calculate a 99.999999981% probability that this behaviour indicates a higher level of tactical knowledge. Most certainly this arrival, whoever they are, has had a period of warfare. I bring my Battle Reflex Center online.

Aboard the lead Raider, sitting in the Command position was a Gold Centurion, the leadership caste. It monitored the position of the two other Raiders and the sensors of its own craft. As the Raiders neared the planet the tell-tale signs of human habitation started to appear. Cleared fields, roads, then buildings all stood out in contrast to the wilderness covering most of the planet. There was no evidence of detection or even defences.

The Command Centurion opened a communication channel, “Evidence of human infestation detected. Attack! Annihilate the Colonials.”

“Evidence of human infestation detected. Attack! Annihilate the Colonials.” I surge to full capability, the newcomers are hostile. I have been tracking the three small vessels as well as their mothership. The mothership remains out of practical engagement range, the three attack craft do not.

Three of my secondary hellbores have been tracking the attack craft, I now fire. The range is sufficient that it will be 2.9345 seconds before impact. The enemy will have no warning of my fire though, hellbores are lightspeed weapons in a vacuum.

3 seconds after firing I calculate that my secondary hellbores were an application of excessive force. Nothing remains of the attack craft. I bring my antigravity systems online. I am incapable of long-range spaceflight, but I can easily return to the moon the humans named Aphrodite. Once back on Aphrodite I will have access to materials and the gravity anchor needed to carry out a successful defence of this planet.

I detect the mothership launching again. No mere triplet of attack craft, I detect 47 launches. They vector for the planet, apparently intent to attack. I cannot permit this. I calculate a 97.748654% chance that radiating on a primitive frequency and using an archaic waveform will attract the attackers into my range. Once there they will be easily destroyed.

I configure one of my tertiary emitter arrays to mimic the emissions of the output of the archaic radar system known as the SPY-17. 12.6587 seconds after activating the emitter the attacker turn toward me. I sense primitive attempts to “jam” my signal. I assign 0.00034% of my processing capacity to fight an electronic warfare battle with the hostiles. They are attempting to defeat the SPY-17.